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The Ubuntu Carrier Advisory Group "lets mobile operators shape Ubuntu's mobile strategy," Canonical says on a page devoted to the CAG. "Members receive advance confidential briefings and provide us with industry insight to ensure that Ubuntu meets their needs...Members of the CAG have the opportunity to be a launch partner and gain the right to ship Ubuntu in markets they serve."

The Ubuntu Touch OS won CNET Reviews' best of show award at this year's Mobile World Congress event, one of the premier showcases for smartphones and other mobile technologies. (You can read CNET's hands-on with the OS here.)

Still, plaudits aside, the competition for the third slot in mobile operating systems is intense. And what's more, as CNET News' Roger Cheng has noted, a lack of industry support may mean that such an OS could have a difficult time gaining traction.

Verizon, however, has given a vote of confidence. The Canonical blog post quotes Samir Vaidya, from Verizon's Device Technology team: "Verizon Wireless is joining Ubuntu's Carrier Advisory Group to participate in technology discussions around this new platform, which has the ability to bring new and exciting features to developers and ultimately, customers."